UST in the News
UST Alumna Becomes Real-Life Royalty
American Meghan Markle captured the world’s attention when she wed Prince Harry in May. In July, Southern Living Magazine featured her and other Southern American women who each met her Prince Charming. It turns out another woman who has transitioned from civilian life into royalty is UST graduate Sarah Butler ’94, who was born and raised in Texas. She earned a bachelor’s degree in international studies from UST and a Master of Science in Development Studies from the University of London. She held multiple positions with the United Nations. In 2000, she married Prince Zeid bin Ra’ad Zeid al-Hussein, a member of the Jordanian House of Hashemite, Crown Prince of Iraq and Jordan’s permanent representative to the United Nations. She now holds the title of Her Royal Highness Princess Sara Zeid.
Professor Talks Politics on Houston Matters Political Roundup Show
Dr. Jon Taylor, professor of political science, is a regular guest on the political roundup show, as part of Houston Public Media News 88.7’s public affairs show Houston Matters. The political roundup show airs at noon on Wednesdays and gives listeners a rundown of the week’s politics. In August, Taylor talked with host Craig Cohen about former presidential campaign chairman Paul Manafort going to trial, as well as government shutdown threats and how those shutdowns might affect Houston and Texas. Taylor’s easy-going style and wealth of knowledge make him fun and engaging. When he’s not talking politics on Houston Public Media, Taylor, an expert on Chinese politics and policy, talks to a wide variety of China’s major online news outlets about the political news of the day.
UST’s Applied Math Degree Featured in HBJ’s List of Most Valuable US College Majors
A degree in applied mathematics was one of the top five most valuable U.S. majors, according to Bankrate.com. Houston Business Journal summarized the Bankrate.com findings and included UST in its roundup story. UST offers a Bachelor of Science in applied mathematics, which it notes is the language of science. Bankrate.com ranked majors based on various factors, including average income, the unemployment rate among that major’s degree holders and the percentage of degree holders with advanced degrees. UST touts the degree to math lovers who understand that every problem has a solution. Now we know that math proficiency is highly prized by many top employers, and demand for mathematicians and statisticians is growing fast.